Metal stepladder



June 9, 1.925. v 1,541,421

F. J. LE BEAU METAL STEPLADDER Filed Jan. 17, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Q-Z 4Z @Z :.14 1 f Il f une 9, 1925. 1,541,421 F. J. LE BEAU METAL STEPLADDER Filed Jan. 17. 1924 .2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EMM liv 72am@ Ze @da Patented .lune 9,

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' innen rarsnr @ri-*ree FERNANDO J. LE BEAU, OF NILES'GENTER, ILNIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD '10 i ERICK BLAINE THELIN AND QlEvTlF-D T JITUS L. THELIN, BOTH 0F CHICAGO,

' ILLINOIS.

METAL STEPLADIDER.

Application filed January 17, 1924. Serial No. 686,759.

To all whoml t may concern:

Beit known that I, FERNANDO J. Ln BEAU,

a citizen of the United States, residing at p Niles Center, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Metal Stepladders, of which the following is a specification.

'Bhis invention relates to collapsible metal Stepladders for use in ofiices, factories and the like where general fireproof construction is required. i

The object of this invention is to provide a ladder wholly of metal, providing a maximum of' strength for a minimum of weight; which can be easily and cheaply made; which is satisfactory in use and not readily liable to get out of order.

The invention consists in numerous feaspecification and claims. Among these features of prime importance is an automat-ic stop at the top of the device between the ladder' and prop sections which prevents their spreading beyonda given point, said device dispensing with the conventional rope or link of ordinary devices of this kind.

Another important feature isv the step construction and the method of attaching it to the uprights of the ladder to afford a thoroughly strong and efficient step with the consumption of an unusually small amount of metal. l

A further feature consists in a novel cross-section forthe ladder uprights which increases the strength while reducing the normal weight of the device.

out the several views: v

Figure 1v is a side elevation of mechanismv illustrating this invention in its preferred form. f

Figure 2 is an inverted plan view taken on the line 2-2 of VFigure 1. f

Figure 3 is a side detail view, certain parts being taken in section on the line 8-3 of Figure 1. f

Figure 4 isy ayfront view of the ladder,

certain parts beingY shown in section.

Figure 5 is a-side view, partiallyin sec` tion, onthe line 5 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a` perspective view of the tures and details of construction which willV be hereafter more fully set forth in the Referring to the drawings in which likev numerals designate the same parts throughhinge andstop construction with of the ladder removed. p v

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a step and its application to one ladder upright.

In ordereto makeV af ladder of unusually strong yet light construction, separated parallel Z-shaped members 10 of special construction are provided.` Each one of these side members has a relatively wide upright web, to which the number 10 is applied in Figure 7, carrying a top, horizontal flange 12 terminating in a downwardly positioned flange 14 parallel to the main web of memthe top Iber. 10. The opposite or lower edge of the web 10 carries a comparatively wide, base flange 16, rolled over upon itself in the reinforcing strip 162. y

Extending across the side members 10 and preferably spot-welded direct to the upper flanges 12 of the side members are horizontally disposed, 'properly spaced cross-bars 18, supporting throughout'the lengths of the bars' between the uprights the channel shaped `steps 24 of the ladder; These steps are, as clearly shown in Figure r7, of generally channel iron shape except that ythe front flange 26 of the step which embraces the adjacent bar 18 is made wider than the bar and has its lower edge turned in in the horizontally extending lap 28 (Figure 7 Each step is made of proper length to occupy the entire horizontal space between the webs of the uprights 10 and, as the bars are straight, the front flanges 26 of the steps' wrap the bars throughout substantially their lengths thereby improving both the strength and appearance ofthe structure. The fact that the uprights are Z bars with front or top flanges turned in opposite `directions permits this wrapping of the bars -without cutting the steps except at their ends. Fach step 24 is made of exactly the proper width so that the rear flange 30 of thestep bears closely against and wedges against the bottom anges 16S-16a of the Yside members 10; At the end of each step 24 is a downwardly turned flange 32 fitting against and` spot-welded or otherwise suitably sec'uredto the webportion of the adjacent upright 10.l Attention is called to the fact that, as shown in Figure 1, the steps 24 are at an acute angle to the longitudinal e axes Vof the uprights 10, and the flanges 30 of the steps 24 are parallel to the central axes of said uprights, with the result that the more weight there is placed on aparticular step 24, the harder the rear flange 30 of that step will bear against the-bottom dan-ges-'1Got the sidevmembers.-10,--thereby securing etlicient supporting-.of the step with reference to the ladder side members.

Bythe use of Z shaped uprights 10, arranged as shown, and the steps carried upon the cross bars 18, specifically by being wrapped around these bars, it is possible to assemble the' ladder by placing the two uprights in proper Separated relation, then simply shoving each'step from the front into glace and spot-welding the bars 18 tothe uprights. Conversely, 'if repairs are necessary, 'theonlyrequirement is to break the spot welds, whereupona-given step can be lslipped outI for repair or replacement with- Q'utdisturbing the rest ofthe ladder. The necessary insertion or removal of a step "from lbetween I the luprights is made by straighthoriZontal sliding action without anyA of the twisting `and turning which =would`be necessarywere channel irons or "1f-'beams `wi'th inward-ly turned flanges used asin `prior construction.

T he lower ends of the side members 10 terivymin'ate insuit-able feet 34, spotv weldedor otherwisesuitably secured thereto, carrying anti-friction devices, speciically rubber cushions SEG-'engaging the'tioor' 38 to prevent Msliping'of thedevice.

Rigidlyf-securedto the top ofveach side fmernber 1 0, by any suitable means,- suclras spotwelding Vand lextending rearwardly f' therefrom is a? horizontally disposed angle `Viron-1- 40 having A'its upper flange 142 horizontall and supportingl anadjacent end or' the 40' upperuveborstep 44 of the ladder. These `yplateseO` arecut awjay -behind the uprights 101m notches-216,s adapted to4 receive and afford-bearing for the' -toptlang'es 118 of down- VWardly inclinedt rearladder supports 50. *"5 Onegofthesexrear-'supports 50 is provided `limi-nediat'elyl behind eachl'adder upright 10 fandfis pivoted nea-rits upper end on aihorilffzont'alrodi i 52'V connectingl parallel' pla-tes 4() heretofore referredto. The pivot support for members Of-isI ireinforced by bearing "plates 54g rigidly attached by spot-welding Y orfotherwisel-to the# members' '50- andi-journalled on' the outerendsof lthe rod 52, herevltoiiore -referred'lta The'whole construction 5 ofthe upper endiofeachsupport 50fis such 'thatwlren the ladder isopened, as shown in S'Figurel 1,'fthe upper` end of eachitiangellS oftheadjacentmember 'talres bearinglin l the notch 4610i 'the adjacent plate 40, there- J @by preventing separation-f the ladder mechanlism Z101andwtlievbrace suppo'rtsO beyond' fthe position: ishown in Figure 1.

For .conven-ience,-v the :ladder and the' brace support are; shownI in 'Figure 1` as connected 'togethersbyl conventional links I.'56 and-58,

pivoted together at'GO; but, except as an insurance against`spreadingl ofthe .ladder should there be a break at the top of the ladder mechanism, these links may be dispensed with Without `departing from the invention. The lower endofV each bracemeniber 50 is equipped with a foot 62. suitably: attached by spot-welding or otherwise, the same carrying a cushion 64 engaging the rioor 88. The construction described produces a ladder which has all the advantages set forth in the opening statement.

Having thus vdescribedmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure byi Letters Patent is:

f1 .ln-mechanism otthe'class described, a pair of parallelseparated upright normally inclined Z members with their lowerV flanges pointed inward toward each other, a straight barj across the upperflangesor said upright members, and;` an linverted U-'shaped step'tilling the space between the uprights, having,r one flange over said bar from upright-to upright and the other )flangeV bearing on .the

rear tlanges of the Z bar.

2, In mechanism ofi the lclass described, a-pair or parallelfseparated upright normally'in'clinedf-Z vmembers' with their lower flanges pointed nwardtoward each other, a

straight' ybar 1 across rsa-id" upright members,

an inverted' U-'shaped step-*substantially fillingk theispa'ce'betweenthe uprights, having one flangeover said bar rom-'upright to upright and theother-liiangebearing on the yrear' flanges of 'the 'Zl bars, anda lip-on the flange' ofV the step turned around the bar.

3.V In-mechanismbf-"the class described, a pair o'parallel; separated uprightnormally inclined Zimembers with their lower'langes pointed inwardtowarde-aeh other, a straight `bar across said uprightmembers, an inverted" lil-'shapedstep substantially "filling the space between lthe uprights, having one fiange over-said bar-"from `upright toupright and the other flange bearing-A on the vrear flanges ofthe v'Z bars,A and independent means at one` end ot the step securing-it to fthexweb -of the adjacent upright.

4. In mechani'siinofA the 'class described, a 'paire-ot parallel, separated upright normally. inclined' Z members with their lower flanges pointed inwarditowardeach other, i a. straight barv across 4said 4upright members, an linverted U-shapedfr step substantially filling thepspace between the uprights, having Vonei iangexov-ersaidbar `from upright to upright and .the otheri-flange bearing on vthewrearV flanges-:of the 'Z bars, a `lip on the Iviange ofi the channel turned? around 1the bar, and independent means Vat, Aone`A end of the-step securing it to thewwebot the adj acent upright. f

#-5. VIn mechanism yoff the classV described, a ladder, apair of parallel plateseOeX- tending rear-wardlyf therefrom, a ladder 7support pivoted to said plates and a notch '46 in each plate entered by the adjacent upper end portion of the support when the ladder and support are separated to a predetermined point, to thereby prevent sepa; ration of the ladder and support beyond a given predetermined angle.

6. In mechanism of the class described, a ladder upright 10, a ladder support 50, a reinforcing member 54 on the support, a plate 40 on the ladder upright fitting between the support and the re-inforcing member, and a pivot member through the members 40-50-54, all the parts being arranged and disposed as shown and described for the purposes set forth.

7. In a ladder, two separated, normally inclined uprights, having parallel webs with top flanges turned away from each other, a step fitting between the webs of thev uprights, and a bar of greater length than the step, carrying the step by its front edge, applied across the uprights and rigidly secured to the top flanges thereof.

8. In a ladder, two separated, normally inclined uprights, having parallel webs with top flanges turned away from each other, a step fitting between the webs of the uprights, and a bar of greater length than the step, carrying the step by its front edge, Aapplied across the uprights and rigidly secured to the top flanges thereof, and a flange onvthe lower edge of each upright engaged by the rear portion of the step as described.

9. In a ladder, two separated, normally inclined uprights having parallel webs with top flanges turned away from each other, a step fitting between the webs of the uprights, and a bar of greater length than the step, wrapped by a flange on the step, applied across the uprights and rigidly secured to the top flanges thereof.

10. In a ladder, two separated, normally inclined uprights having parallel webs with top flanges turned away from each other, a step fitting between the webs of the uprights, a bar of greater length than the step, wrapped by a flange on the step, applied across the uprights and rigidly secured to the top flanges thereof, and a flange on the lower edge of each upright engaged by the rear portion of the step as described.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

FERNANDO J. Ln BEAU. 

